2025 Lexus RX Hybrid vs 2026 Honda Passport

The 2026 Honda Passport presented a bold and rugged appearance, characterized by its extra-large proportions and blocky dimensions. Its design was a modern interpretation of a rugged SUV, with a long 113.6-inch wheelbase and a nearly flat hood that provided a great approach angle. The front end featured bracket-shaped amber running lights framing the upper grille and a thin hood scoop above the Honda emblem. The Passport's wider and visually stronger stance made it resemble competitors like the Toyota 4Runner and Jeep Grand Cherokee, while still maintaining a distinct Honda identity. The profile view, with its blacked-out D-pillar and large tinted rear-quarter window, drew inspiration from a backpack, though it also bore similarities to the Chevrolet Traverse and Land Rover Discovery. Fun features like rock sliders and a scratch-resistant roof panel added to its appeal, while the rear showcased a blocky tailgate with a two-tone design and standard roof rails.

Inside, the Passport offered a straightforward and practical interior. It was available in three trim levels: RTL, TrailSport, and TrailSport Elite, each with its own package options. The TrailSport trim featured a blend of synthetic leather and cloth upholstery, while the TrailSport Elite boasted all-genuine leather. Despite the superior materials in the latter, the TrailSport's interior was more visually appealing. Overall, the Passport's design and features catered to both rugged adventures and family road trips.

The 2025 Lexus RX Hybrid, on the other hand, was a $75,000 SUV that aimed to deliver luxury and efficiency. The RX 500h Black Line Special Edition, with its exclusive Incognito paint job and orange brake calipers, had a unique appearance. However, aside from these distinctive features, the RX's design was unremarkable, with a huge front grille and a dramatic rear haunches swell. The RX lineup included three models: the RX 350h, RX 500h, and RX 450h+. The RX 350h was the base model, offering 246 horsepower and 36 mpg, while the RX 500h delivered 366 hp and 27 mpg. The RX 450h+ was a plug-in hybrid with an estimated 37 miles of electric-only range. All models came with standard all-wheel drive and various trim levels, with prices ranging from $52,875 to $72,710. The RX's interior featured quality materials and ambient lighting, though some controls were ergonomically challenging. Despite its luxury aspirations, the RX's design and features left room for improvement.

The 2026 Honda Passport was engineered to excel both on and off-road, particularly in its TrailSport trims. It featured improved approach and departure angles, skid plates, and 18-inch wheels for enhanced ride comfort and off-road traction. The TrailSport Elite trim offered a multi-view mode with four camera angles for navigating trails. The Passport's i-VTM4 all-wheel drive system was standard, along with seven distinct drive modes, including Sport, Trail, and Tow. However, it lacked locking differentials and a low-range 4WD system. The Passport retained its naturally aspirated 3.5-liter V6 engine, producing 285 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. It offered a towing capacity of 5,000 pounds and a maximum driving distance of around 450 miles. While the Passport's engine was less efficient than some competitors, it focused on reducing emissions rather than increasing power. The Passport's performance was impressive, with strong power delivery and excellent steering, though its all-terrain tires generated noticeable noise on highways.

In contrast, the 2025 Lexus RX Hybrid offered a range of powertrains. The RX 350h was the least powerful but most efficient, with 246 hp and 233 pound-feet of torque from a hybrid powertrain. The RX 450h+ PHEV delivered 304 hp and a 6.2-second zero-to-60 time, while the RX 500h featured a turbocharged 2.4-liter engine producing 366 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque. The RX 500h's sport-tuned adaptive damping suspension, 21-inch wheels, and Direct4 all-wheel-drive system enhanced its performance. However, it was less fuel-efficient, averaging 20.9 mpg in testing. The RX 500h's drivetrain offered quick acceleration and a pleasant sound, but its adaptive damping suspension produced unnatural sensations. While capable on twisty roads, the RX 500h lacked communication between the road and the driver, making it less rewarding to drive. The RX 500h's performance was more about sporty appearance and straight-line acceleration than dynamic capability.

The 2026 Honda Passport boasted a modern interior with a 12.3-inch touchscreen, physical controls, and a focus on simplicity. It excelled in cargo space, offering 44 cubic feet behind the rear seat and 83.8 cubic feet with the seats folded, making it the most capacious in its segment. The Passport also provided best-in-class rear-seat legroom and ample storage options, catering to family road trips. The TrailSport and TrailSport Elite trims featured a panoramic moonroof and ventilated front seats, with post-production option packages available for added versatility.

The 2025 Lexus RX Hybrid prioritized occupant comfort and practical cargo space. The RX 500h F Sport Performance's front seats were snug but lacked long-term comfort, while the rear seats offered ample room and comfort. The RX provided practical interior storage, though some compartments lacked lining. The RX Hybrid offered 29.6 cubic feet of cargo space, with hooks for grocery bags and a small amount of storage under the load floor. Folding down the second row expanded cargo volume to 46.2 cubic feet, which was modest for a midsize SUV.

The 2026 Honda Passport featured a 12.3-inch touchscreen with Google Built-in, offering Google Maps, Google Assistant, and other apps. It also supported wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with a Wi-Fi hotspot, USB-C charging ports, and a 10.2-inch digital driver information display. The TrailSport Elite trim included a 12-speaker Bose stereo system and the TrailWatch camera system.

The 2025 Lexus RX Hybrid offered a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 14-inch touchscreen display with the Lexus Interface infotainment system. It included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, and access to connected services. The RX 500h featured a 21-speaker Mark Levinson audio system, though some features were optional. The RX's technology worked well, though the steering wheel controls were distracting and the head-up display was smaller than some rivals.

The 2026 Honda Passport came equipped with Honda Safety Sense, including automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, traffic-jam assist, traffic-sign recognition, and low-speed braking control. It also featured eight standard airbags. However, the previous-generation Passport had less-than-stellar crash test results, and the 2026 model's safety ratings were pending.

The 2025 Lexus RX Hybrid included Safety Connect, offering automatic collision notification, SOS emergency assistance, and roadside assistance. Lexus Safety System+ 3.0 featured forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-centering assist, adaptive cruise control, and blind-spot monitoring. Predictive Driving Assist monitored forward progress and ensured safe following distances. The RX earned a five-star safety rating from the NHTSA, though the IIHS rated it poorly in a frontal-impact test.